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Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2003
  • Updated by Olympus E-3
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX10V
  • Replacement is Sony HX30V
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-1 and Sony HX20V, former being a Pro DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and HX20V (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-1 was manufactured 9 years before the HX20V and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-1 grades vs the HX20V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Sony HX20V

 E-1 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Olympus E-1

 HX20V E-1 
IntroducedJuly 2012November 2003Fresher by 105 months
Display sizing3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution922k134kCrisper display (+788k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Sony HX20V

 E-1 HX20V 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 has got physical measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-1 and Sony HX20V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-1 compared to the HX20V.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and HX20V is 59 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-1 and HX20V.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-1 due to its larger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony HX20V will give you greater detail due to its extra 13MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older E-1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-1
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
46
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
45
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
includes face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography factors
Sony HX20V Street photography factors
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (735g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography advice
Sony HX20V Sports photography advice
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
low fps (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography factors
Sony HX20V Travel photography factors
47
lighter than competition in class (735g)
weather proof
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX20V Landscape photography advice
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
small screen (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
50
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-1
Vlogging with Sony HX20V
9
no video shooting
34
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Sony HX20V
 Olympus E-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2003-11-29 2012-07-20
Body design Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2560 x 1920 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 134 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735g (1.62 lb) 254g (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 320 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $1,700 $397